Bicol’s most wanted nabbed in Mandaluyong

The alleged leader of the Dose Pares robbery group and Bicol’s public enemy No. 1 was arrested Tuesday in Mandaluyong City.

Suspect Elmer Roman, did not put up a fight when cornered by elements of the intelligence division of the National Capital Regional Police (NCRPO) inside his safehouse at 562 Makiling street.

Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco said Roman and his henchmen were responsible for the brutal slay of barangay chairman Feliz Azur and companion Inocencio Basagre on May 16, 2002 in Barangay Kabungan, Balatan town, Camarines Sur. They are also believed to be behind the killing of one Jomar Pedro last Dec. 27, 2001 in Malawag, Nabua town.

Roman is also the prime suspect in the burning of a house owned by Francisco Renoso Jr. in Baranygay Tapayas, also in Balatan town on April 2002.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Roman’s arrest came after an informant tipped authorities of his presence in Mandaluyong City through the Magic Eye Txt Patrol 2910.

"We have to be relentless in our pursuit against lawless elements coming at a time when people need to be assured of their safety and security," said PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., who presented Roman before the media at Camp Crame yesterday.

Members of the raiding team that captured Roman were armed with a search warrant for murder and arson issued by Judge Salvador Occiano of the Balatan Municipal Trial Court.

Ebdane and Velasco also presented six other men arrested in the all-out campaign against criminality as ordered by President Arroyo.

Men of Senior Superintendent Gil Meneses, NCRPO intelligence chief, arrested Rene Guillena and Disodado Tactacon inside the compound of a former local government official in Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental. They yielded a caliber .45 Mark IV Colt pistol and a Viper Super .38 pistol, Meneses said.

Also seized were an undetermined quantity of ammonium nitrate, three pieces of non-electric blasting caps, 23 pieces of 40 mm (M-203) ammunition, and assorted ammunition and magazines.

Chinese national Qiu Zopngyong was arrested after complaints that he was behind the peddling of stolen cellular phones in Sta. Cruz, Manila. He yielded a Nokia 8250, 3210 and Ericsson T39MC units.

Suspects Alvin Cusing, Lito Bayrante and Wilfredo Valles were about to rob a convenience store in Pasig City when cornered by officers aboard a mobile car. Seized from them were a motorcycle, a caliber .38 and a fan knife.

Ebdane stressed that the series of arrests was due to the "strong relationship between the police and the citizenry."